Washing-machine cylinder



Dec. 1,1925. 1,563,822

- C. F. ANDERSON WASHING MACHINE CYLINDER Filed Dec. 17. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 @fili/WNW' Cari IIJ/7616115072 M Deco 1 C. F. ANDERSON WASHING MACHINE CYLINDER Filed Dec. 17. 1923 3 Shet's-Sheet 2 Tv-m A :o o

OOO`OOOOOOOOOOOOO 46' @Q7/MY l Dec.; 1 1925.

c. F. ANDERsoN f WASHING MACHINE CYLINDER Filed Dec. -1'r, 192s 3 sheets-Sheet s Patented Dec. 1, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

CARL F. ANDERSON, OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CONLON CORPORATION, OF CICERO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

WASHING-MACHINE CYLINDER.

Application filed December 1*?, 1923.

To all 't0/10m t may concern Be it known that I, Cani. F. ANnEnsoN, a citizen f the United States, residing at Brookfield, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in IVashing-Machinc Cylinders, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiication.

The present invention relates to washing machine cylinders, and aims particularly to provide an improved construction of a metallic washing machine cylinder.

j In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated a preferred method of and assembly of parts for practicing` my invention. In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end view illustrating a washing machine in phantom, and the washing machine cylinder which constitutes the pressent; invention in full lines;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the cylinder removed from the machine, the removable cover of the cylinder being uppermost in this view;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view taken approximately on the plane of the `line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. I is a fragmentary detail section taken approximately on the plane of the line I-*I of Fig. 6;

Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken transversely through the cylinder;

Fig. 7 is adetail sectional view of one of the lifters and panelinterlocking strips;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the subject matter of Fig. 7, before the end of the joining has been turned under.

Fig. 9 is a view of the construction adjacent the edge of the removable cover, similar to Fig. 7 and Fig. 10 illustrates a modiiied method oi joining the inner edges of the lifters to the end heads.

Fig. 1 illustrates the present construction of cylinder in a typical installation in a reversing cylinder type of washing machine. In this type of washing machine, automatic reversing mechanism 10, which is interposed in the driving train between the electric motor 11 and the cylinder 12, functions to rotate the cylinder 12 a predetermined number Serial No. 681,085.

of times in one direction and to then reverse the direction of drive and rotate the cylinder an equal number of times in the opposite direction. This mode of operation will be familiar to those skilled in the art, but for specific illustration attention is directed to prior Patent No. 1,254,688 issued to Walter d. Conlon. 'I' he present improved design of cylinder may also be used in washing machines wherein the cylinder is continuously rotated in one direction, or'in washing machines wherein the cylinder is given an oscillatory motion of less than a complete revolution in each direction. It will be understood that the cylinder contains the clothes or other articles to be washed, and is supported in a `suitable tank 13 which receives the wash water, the cylinder 12 having a multitude of perforations therein for circulating this wash water through the clothes in the cylinder.

The cylinder 12 is built up of two metallic end heads 15 and a peripheral portion 16 forming the body of the cylinder between the heads. A removable cover 17, interposed in this peripheral portion 16, adords access to the interior of the cylinder. rIhe heads are preferably bulged outwardly adjacent their centers, and the right hand end (Fig. 2) carries amounting bracket 18 formed with av polygonal socket 19, while the left hand end carries a bracket 21 having a pintle or bearing stud 22 projecting.` therefrom. Each of these brackets is formed with eX- tending spider arms which are rigidly bolted to the end heads, as shown at 23. The socket 19 is adapted to slip over squareended driving` hub which is driven from the reversing mechanism 10, and the pintle 22 is adapted to drop into a stirrup bearing secured to the other end of the tank 18.

The peripheral portion 16 of the cylinder is built up of a. plurality of panels or sections 25, which are also constructed of sheet metal. I have found half-hard sheet aluminum as a very satisfactory metal for the construction of the end heads 15 `and the panels 25. I employ No; 16 B. and S. gage all) sheet have a plurality ot pertorations 27 therein tor causing an inward and outward .tlow ot the *ash water through the cylinder.

lt will be observed trom Figures 4 and 5 that the peripheries ot both end heads 1 5-15 are termed with an outwardlyrolled seinicircular flange Q9. The lateral edges oit' the panel sheets are rolled downwardly over the outer side ot this tlange, and up under the inner side thereot, as indicated at 3l. This rela-tion ot interlocking 'langes 29 and 3l securely locks the panel sheets to the end heads, and by rolling the edge ot the panel sheet up under the inner side ot the flange 29, there is no raw edge ot the metal exposed to cutting or scratching, and consequently no linishing oper ation is necessary atter the panels are rolled onto the end heads. rEhe wrapping ot these two tlanges together, in addition to torining a smooth, gradually rounded edge tor the cylinder, disposes a certain amount ot the stoel; ot each Vend head and each panel in the most advantageous position tor strengthening and reinto'rcing the cylinder. This permits the use ot the relatively light stock employed, without the necessity ot any trame or secondary reinforcing means.

The joining edges ot the panel sheets are interlocl-:cd by interlocking strips or connecting members 38. As shown in Fig. 6, the crosswise edge ot each panel sheet 25 is turned downwardly to torni the diagonal tlange 34 and is then doubled bach upon itselt to term the locking flange 35. rlhe lateral edges ot the strips are termed into converging anges 36, which engage between the tlanges 34 and 35 ot adjacent panels. In assembling the panels and the interlocking strips 33, these strips are driven endwise into interlocking engagement between the 4pairs ot flanges 34 and In the cylinders ot these reversing cylinder washing machines, there are generally embodied litters vwhich project inwardly trom the periphery ot the cylinder at spaced points. These litters raise the clothes troni their immersion in the wash water and carry them up and then drop them baelr into the wash water, in the rotation ot the cylinder. Such a litter is illustrated by the litters 3S shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8. In the presentV construction, I have utilized the litter to reintorce the interlocked joint between adjacent panels, and conversely, l have ntilizied this joint to support the outer edge ot the litter. These litters are constructed ot sheet metal, preterably aluminum, having a plurality ot corrugations 39 extending across the cylinder. The upper edge ot the litter sheet is rolled around a reintorcing rod 4l, the rolled or headed portion ot the sheet being indicated at 42. rlhis rolled edg s las a snug lit between the top ot the intellocking strip 33 and the inclined sides ot the interlocling flanges 35. The ends ot the litter sheet 38 and ot reinforcing rod 4l terminate substantially in contact with the inner walls ot the end heads l5, as shown in Fi 4. lin assembling, the flanged edges 344-35 ot the panels are assembled against the sides ot the litter S8, below the rolled edge 42, atter which the flanges 36 ot the interlocking strip are matched between the langes 34 and 35, and the strip is then driven heine between Athe 'flanges and over the rolled edge 42 ot the litter. The inner edge ot the litter 38 is rolled around a reintorcing rod 4?), as indicated at 44. As shown in `Fig. 4, the ends ot this reintorcing rod 43 are threaded tor the reception ot screws 45 which pass through openings 4o' in the end heads 15. Thus the inner edges ot the litters are held against displacement, and the screws 45 and rod 43 also tunction as tie connections between the end heads tor additionally reintorcing the cylinder. rlhe rod 43 may be drawn downwardly, bringing it into register with the holes 46, so as to place the litter sheet under a slight tensional stress, and thereby hold the rolled outer edge 42 against any play in the interlocking strip 33. It will be noted that the presence ot the litter sheet 38 between the 'flange edges 554-35 ot adjacent panels precludes any possibility ot these edges moving` downwardly and becoming disengaged trom the interlocking lianges 36.

lin Fig. l0 l have shown a modified method ot connecting the inner edge ot the litter to the two end heads. In the torina-- lion ot the litter sheet the rolled inner edges 44 are made longer than the width ot thc sheet, so that tubular sheet metal studs 4t) project laterally trom thef inner corners ot the sheet. ln assen'ihling the cylinder, these tuluilar studs are inserted through holes 5() in the end heads and are then turned or flanged outwards over the outer walls ot the heads, as shown at G0.

The opening into the cylinder, which is closed by the cylinder cover 17, is designated at 4S, the two transverse edges ot this opening being delincd by litters 8S. )i inoditied arrangement ot locking strips 35iis employed in connect-ing the adjacent panel edges to the litters detining this cylinder opening. One edge ot veach interlocking strip 33 has the usual interlocking Ylange 3G tor engaging witlrthe flanged edge ot the panel, while the other edge is looped around the rolled edge 4Q ot the litter, as indicated at in Fig. f).

As shown in Fig. 8, the flange 3l which interloclrs each panel to the end head, extends along the circrnnterential dimension ot the panel to a point close to the end ot the panel. The two flanges 36 36 on the inner side ot the interlocling strip are folded or pressed up closely against the lll) under side of the strip at the ends thereof, as indicated at 36. rllhese ends of' the interlocking strip thus consist of' two thicknesses of metal pressed together. In the operation of rolling the flange 3l under the head flange 29, or, if' desired, in an entirely separate operation, each double thickness end 36 on the interlocking strip is curled under the flange 29. This finishes the flanged joint between the panels and end head, closing any space between the ends of the flanges 3l of adjoining panels.

The removable cover 17 comprises an aluminum casting 523 in the form of an open, oblong frame, in which is mounted an aluminum panel or sheet 54, corrugated and perforated similarly to the panels 25. This frame casting is formed with an inner inarginal flange 55 extending around all the sides of' the frame, into which the cover sheet al is secured, as by rivets 56 (Fig. 9). Outwardly extending marginal flanges 57 close the opening /l-S at the front and rear edges of the cover, Referring to Fig. Il, it will be noticed that the casting 53 is formed with lateral supporting flanges which rest on the rolled flanges 29 of the end heads l5. (luide flanges 59 also project inwardly along the sides of this cover frame or casting inside of the two end heads 15.

As viewed in Figures 2 and 3, the left hand cylinder head l5 has a slot (ll eut therein substantiallyv centrally of thecylinder opening 48. The cover is provided with a hook ('2 adapted to be inserted through the slot (il in replacing the cover in the opening 48. This hook is inserted through a slot 63 in the flange 59, and has an upturned portion which is riveted to the cover frame, as indicated at 611-.. A short section of channel 65 is secured to the outer side of' the cylinder head over the outer edge of' the slot 61, this section of channel having ears 66 (Fig. l) which are riveted to the cylinder head. This channel member provides a shoulder of' harder metal than would the slot 6l in the aluminum head, this channel member preferably being constructed of brass or other non-rustable, relatively hard metal.

After the hook 63 is inserted through the slot (il, the other side of the cover is swung down on to the other cylinder' head l5. rlhis latter side of' the cover is held down by a lat-ch (37, which has a shoulder hooking under a channel member (i5 secured to this cylinder head, similarly to the channel member on the other end of the cylinder. This latch 67 is hinged upon a hinge pin 69 carried by a hinge bracket 7l iiveted at 72 to the cylinder cover. As shown in Fig. 2, the ends of the latch pin 69 are spaced from the edges of the latch 67 to permit the coiling of a suitable spring 73 on these pin ends for normally urging the latch 67 down under the shoulder 65. The lower edge' of the latch (i7 is curved outwardly, as indi:- cated at 75, so that the latch will cam itself over the flange 29 and shoulder 65 when the cover is swung down into the opening 48.

It will be apparent that numerous modifications and re-arrangements of parts may be made within the essence of the invention as above described.

I claim:

l. In a washing machine cylinder, the combination of a pair of' sheet metal cylinder heads, a peripheral body portion between said heads comprising a plurality of sheet meta-l panels, the edges of' adjoining panels having hook flanges thereon, sheet metal lifters in said cylinder, each of said litters having an enlarged portion, the hook flange edges of adjoining panels being disposed inproximity to the sides of each lifter inwardly of its enlarged port-ion, connecting strips having inwardly converged locking flanges engaging with said hook flanges and embracing the enlarged portions of said litters, and means passing through perforations in said cylinder heads for securing the inner edges of said litters in position.

In a washing machine cylinder, the combination of' a pair of sheet metal cylinder heads, a peripheral body portion between said heads comprising a plurality of sheet metal panels, the edges of adjoining panels having hook flanges thereon, sheet metal lifters in said cylinder engaging at their outer ends between said hook flanges, and tie bars engaging in said hook flanges to hold adjacent panels together and to clamp the outer ends of said lifters, and means for securing the inner ends of' said litters.

3. In a washing machine cylinder, the combination of a pair of cylinder heads, a peripheral body portion between said heads comprising a plurality of sheet metal panels, said panels along their adjacent edges having grooves, lifters extending at their outer ends between said panel edges, and bars having tongues for engaging in said grooves to lock the panels together and to clamp and anchor the outer ends of said litters, and means securing the inner ends o' said litters.

l. In a washing machine cylinder, the combination of a pair sheet metal cylinder heads, a peripheral body portion between said heads comprising a plurality of sheet metal panels, said panels at their adjacent edges having grooves, lifters extending at their outer ends between said edges and hav- -ing enlargements, tie bars having tongues engaging in said grooves to lock said panels together and to retain the enlarged ends of said lifters to thereby anchor them at their outer ends, and means for securing the inner ends of said litters.

5. In a washing machine cylinder, the combination of cylinder heads, a peripheral body portion between said heads comprising a plurality of sheet metal panels, litters extending at their outer ends between the adjacent panels, tie means acting independently oi said litters to lock said panels together and to anchor said litters at their outer ends, and means seeuring the inner ends of said litters.

6. In a washing machine cylinder, the combination of a pair of sheet metal cylinder heads, a peripheral body portion between said heads con'iprising a plurality of sheet metal panels, said panels having grooves along their edges, tie hars estending across said body portion and extending a distance beyond said heads, said bars having tongues engaging in said grooves to thereby lock said panels together, the adjoining edges of said heads and panels, together with the projecting ends of said bars, being seamed together.

7. In a washing machine cylinder, the combination of cylinder heads, a peripheral body portion between said heads comprising a plurality of sheet metal panels, said panels at their adjoining edges having grooves, litters having enlargements at their outer ends and engaging between the panel edges, and tie bars bridging said enlarged ends and having locking flanges engaging in said grooves whereby said panels are locked together, and means securing the inner ends of said litters.

8. In a washing machine cylinder,the coinbination ot cylinder heads, a peripheral sheet metal body portion extending between said heads having an opening, the edges ot said body portion at said opening being deflected to form grooves, a radial wall extending from each of said edges and having an abutment, and a tie bar at each ot said edges having a locking flange engaging in the respective grooves and having another locking fiange receiving the abutment of the respective radial wall to thereby secure said wall to said body portion, and means securing the inner ends olf said radial wall.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 30th day ot November, 1923.

CARL F. ANDERSON. 

